Male and Female

Starring:Lila Lee, Theodore Roberts, Raymond Hatton, Mildred Reardon, Gloria Swanson, Thomas Meighan, Robert Cain, Edna Mae Cooper, Edmund Burns, Martha Graham, Sydney Deane, Mayme Kelso, Wesley Barry, Clarence Burton, Henry Woodward, Julia Faye, Lawson Butt, Bebe Daniels, Guy Oliver, Rhy Darby
Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Description

Cecil B. DeMille's breakthrough production, a satire on class distinctions. Based on James M. Barrie's play "The Admirable Crichton," "Male and Female" made a star of Gloria Swanson (Queen Kelly) and solidified DeMille's standing as a big box office director with one of his more modest, but no less 'big' silent classics.

Customer Reviews:

Way more than expected.......2004-08-06

I had read some of the reviews on this film, and although they do a good job of revealing the basic plot synopsis, they don't fully do it justice.

first of all, when the DVD cover says "lavishly staged", that was really an understatement. sure, i knew about the legendary "King of Babylon" scene and was expecting a lavish DeMille set for that segment, but this statement also applies to the rest of the film as well. for example, i was shocked by the scene of the ship crashing and sinking, with both an external ship torn up on the rocks, as well as amazing internal shots of the rock breaching the hull and Gloria trapped in the flooding water below deck.

the scenes on the island were always beautiful, although one thing that seems to be absent from other reviews is the point of ridiculousness that the castoways nearly descend to. to be frank, i wasn't expecting a depiction of shipwreck that so closely resembeled Gilligan's Island, but when you look at it, there are similarities between the cast: the millionaire, the movie star (Gloria Swanson), the girl next door, even a cowardly comic relief Gilliganesque character, not to mention the admirable Chrichton, whose outlandish inventions put him in the position of the professor. to modern audiences, it is a little absurd to see the grass hut mansion complete with modern furniture and other luxuries, but it isn't any less entertaining.

although the basic premise of the movie is well known, it has probably never been conveyed as well as it was in this film (reference the similar theme in the Madonna film, Swept Away). mostly, that credit goes to amazing direction and a stunning cast. one can easily see why Gloria Swanson was one of the world's biggest sensations, because she can evoke sympathy from the audience for even the most undesirable characters like Lady Mary. the cast deserves a standing ovation for their performance, which otherwise could have been just a silly melodrama. instead, we actually do care about the unjust caste system and how it affects the lovers on both sides of the spectrum.

extraordinary silent film.......2002-07-21

This film is a masterpiece that gives you the feel of the time and place of the story line. Gloria Swanson is definitely a superb, passionate, and glamorous actress in the film. The picture quality is very clear and the orchestra sound added makes this movie a time capsule for years to come. This film, without a doubt, is one of gloria swanson's finest moments along with her other films "Sadie Thompson" and "Sunset Boulevard." I strongly recommend this film to those who appreciate a brillant silent film.

better than most newer movies.......2001-11-18

Saw it first on AMC Silent Sundays and loved it. An interesting look at a simpler and slower time. Interesting commentary on class and man's nature. At times, it got a little slow but the great thing about silent films is that in those days the director's challenge was to evoke emotion from the audience through action: the protanganist reacting to note just handed to him, the spying over the shoulder or the reactions to other actors. "I was a King of Bablyon and you were a Christian slave." I own it.

Why De Mille has a poor reputation?.......2001-03-20

A previous reviewer raised an interesting question. He asked "It is really hard to see why De Mille has such a relatively poor reputation, when one sees a film like Male and Female."

This is not really a hard question to answer, but one must understand De Mille and the nature of his politics. De Mille has a poor reputation for many of the same reasons that Elia Kazan was treated so poorly at the Oscars a few years ago by so many in Hollywood and the same reasons why Robert Taylor's name was removed from a building on the old MGM lot.

De Mille was anti-unionist, anti-communist, conservative, Republican; profoundly religious the other things that tend to destroy one's reputation in Hollywood. In the 1940's De Mille was forced out of the host position of Lux Radio Theatre because he refused to join the union of AFRA, (now Aftra).

What is often forgotten about De Mille is that he was, along with Samuel Goldfish, and Jesse L. Lasky, one of the founders of Paramount and in the early days of that studio, he was the creative force. He not only directed and produced many of the company's films, but also was in control of the company's entire output, writing scripts and directing sequences in films assigned to other directors. De Mille is often credited as the first man to film (the 1914 Squaw Man) in Hollywood. He did more than any other man to make Hollywood the greatest film center of the World. He handled every genre in film and even invented some that never existed before.

In the mid 20's, De Mille sold his shares in Paramount and joined MGM briefly where he made some of his worst films such as the eccentric Madame Satan.

De Mille doesn't deserve the poor reputation that he has. He was a cut above most of his competitors in narrative skills, pacing of action, in gauging public tastes and anticipating the changing moods of the nation. He developed some of Hollywood's brightest and most famous stars. He was a master storyteller and his films almost always entertained. But in Hollywood, as the truely blacklisted Kazan, Adolph Menjou and William Dmytryk found, your reputation is often judged on your politics and not by your product.

The Admirable De Mille.......2001-02-06

It is really hard to see why De Mille has such a relatively poor reputation, when one sees a film like Male and Female. He is often lambasted and compared unfavourably with other silent directors, but De Mille outlasted most of them, not least because he was a great storyteller. The story of Male and Female, adapted from J.M. Barrie's The Admirable Crichton, is amusing and an interesting comment on class difference. The performances are naturalistic and subtle showing silent acting at its best. This film offers an especially welcome opportunity to see a very young Gloria Swanson. Her famous bath scene is much less modest than one would expect in a post production-code film, though its hardly shocking by today's standards. Her descent into a Babylonian lion's den is quite startling and not at all gratuitous (as the DVD box would have it) for the film has a number of plot points which build up to this 'dream' sequence. This DVD is really top notch, for the print is first class with very little deterioration. It is well tinted, with appropriate colours and greys. The music adds to the viewing experience, fitting in well with the mood and the pace of the film. I have only seen two of De Mille's silent films and only a few of his talkies, this film made me wish to see many more.

2 DVD Classic Sex Education Films: Vintage Teen Sex Ed Videos for Adolescence, Puberty & Hormone Education for Boys & Girls

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2 DVD Classic Sex Education Films: Vintage Teen Sex Ed Videos for Adolescence, Puberty & Hormone Education for Boys & Girls

Manufacturer: Quality Information Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Sex Education: The Birds And The Bees! (2-DVD Set)
What's Going on Down There?: Answers to Questions Boys Find Hard to Ask

Product Features:

2 DVDs of Classic Sex Ed Films!
212 Minutes Running Time

ASIN: B000J35EZY

Product Description

Disc 1 - Puberty and Sexual Reproduction (1) c (1957) - Coach teaches boys about the birds and the bees. Length: 00:16:15 (2) Human Reproduction (1947) - Controversial film in its day because of its use in schools, which teaches human anatomy and physiology and human sexual reproduction. Length: 00:21:15 (3) Social Sex Attitudes in Adolescence (1953) - Follows a young woman, Mary, and a young man, Bill, as they develop a sexual relationship and eventually get married. Length: 00:22:58 (4) Physical Aspects Of Puberty (1953) - Animated film about adolescence balancing emotions and sexual desires. Length: 00:17:41 (5) In The Beginning (1937) - Nicely done photo documentary about mammalian reproduction. Some really great pictures and animation for '37. Length: 00:16:03 (6) Your Body During Adolescence (1955) - Classic puberty film focusing on how to manage the changes to your body during puberty. Length: 00:10:40 Disc 2 - Sex Madness, Homosexuality, & STD's (1) Girls Beware (1961) - Classic women are victims film. Teaches young girl how not get picked up by men and how to stay pure. Length: 00:10:02 (2) Boys Beware (1961) - Classic Anti-homosexuality film. Rule #1: Stay away from strangers. A Must See! Length: 00:10:12 (3) Sex Madness (1930's) - Orgies, syphilis, and wild parties are featured in this famous propaganda film. One of the best films from the exploitation era that pushed the norms by discussing lesbians and STD's. Length: 00:51:57 (4) To The People Of The United States (1944) - US gov't attempt to educate the public about syphilis during WWII. Length: 00:21:22 (5) Molly Grows Up (1953) - Laughably detailed film about the female menstrual cycle. Length: 00:14:20

Science of the Sexes - Different By Design

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Science of the Sexes - Different By Design

Manufacturer: Discovery Communications, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Product Description

This definitive trip around male and female anatomy confirms what our bodies know, but we often forget: men and women are made for each other! Listen, but try not to blush, as intimate portraits and real-life situations are combined with scientific analysis to show that from conception to old age, our bodies grow, adapt, compliment and support each other. Different by Design: Take a look at sexual progression from adulthood to old age. From sexual attraction to physical stamina, every angle is explored. Watch as identical twins are put to a real-life test of sexual attraction. And, thanks to some computer animation and unique endoscopic filming techniques, you'll see what goes on inside their bodies when they're aroused. Study the mechanics of intercourse using an MRI scanner and get a close-up look at the peaks and valleys of brain activity in the two sexes when processing emotion.

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Changing Sexes ~ Female to Male

Manufacturer: Discovery Channel
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Product Description

Mention the word "transsexual," and many imagine a man in a dress. But transsexuals are actually one gender who becomes the other. In this program, meet four women who have become, or are currently transitioning to, men. And, though their numbers are fewer than the reverse, their story is no less fascinating. Meet Jamison, who transitioned 12 years ago. Today, his full beard, deep voice and twinkling green eyes make it hard to believe he was ever a woman. Rachael, on the other hand, is just beginning her transition and still living as a woman. Follow her through her first radical change towards "manhood" surgery to have her breasts removed. Dirk, who started life as Emily, lives in a small town in the Midwest, where he fears that certain social factors may make him the target of violent crime. Finally, meet Scott (formerly Caroline) who tells a harrowing tale of how he completed his transition with a unique female-to-male surgery the creation of an artificial phallus. Hear the profound and sometimes provocative stories of these "transitioners" as told in their own words. And move beyond the tabloid headlines to explore the moral, social and most importantly emotional questions surrounding this little-understood phenomenon.

Roman Polanski's Noz W Wodzie (Knife in the Water) (Unrated) [Import, All-region] (Dvd)

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Roman Polanski's Noz W Wodzie (Knife in the Water) (Unrated) [Import, All-region] (Dvd)
Director: Roman Polanski
Manufacturer: Premier Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
Product Features:

Roman Polanski's first feature is a brilliant psychological thriller that many critics still consider among his greatest work.
This remarkable directorial debut won Polanski worldwide acclaim, a place on the cover of Time, and his first Oscar¨ nomination.
"..the best 'first' following only Citizen Kane." Christopher Null, FILMCRITIC.COM
"The sexual tensions build slowly and subtly ... when they explode into violence.." Don Druker, CHICAGO READER
Import from Korea made for the USA/Canada/Korea (NTSC, All-Region). This is the ORIGINAL theatrical release exactly as envisioned by Polanski.

ASIN: B000N3P7SE

Product Description

Roman Polanski's first feature is a brilliant psychological thriller that many critics still consider among his greatest work. The story is simple, yet the implications of its characters' emotions and actions are profound. When a young hitchhiker joins a couple on a weekend yacht trip, psychological warfare breaks out as the two men compete for the woman's attention. A storm forces the small crew below deck, and tension builds to a violent climax. With stinging dialogue and a mercilessly probing camera, Polanski creates a disturbing study of fear, humiliation, sexuality, and aggression. This remarkable directorial debut won Polanski worldwide acclaim, a place on the cover of Time and his first Oscar nomination.

Military Courtesy, Saluting and Sexual Harassment Training Films - Including Basic Military Courtesies and Etiquette, Male and Female Sexual Harassment, Physical and Verbal Harassment and More

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Military Courtesy, Saluting and Sexual Harassment Training Films - Including Basic Military Courtesies and Etiquette, Male and Female Sexual Harassment, Physical and Verbal Harassment and More

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Product Description

The military is a workd with its own rules, regulations and codes of conduct. This collection of two training films explore the military courtesy system and proper saluting techniques as well as a portrayal of what is and is not appropriate behavior between the sexes in an integrated military. The two films on this DVD have a total run time of 44 minutes. The first film is Unwelcome Affection produced by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center inthe 1980s. It portrays file scenarios where sexual harassment may be occuring, explains how to identify it and what steps should be taken to prevent it from happening. The film also deals with physical and verbal abuse that can be experienced in the armed forces. What is unique about this film is its recognition that not all sexual harassment is from men to women. It also deals with sexual harassment issues initiated by women. After each scenario, the situation is discussed with a series of questions and answers to fully capture the teachings of the film. The second film is titled Military Courtesies and was produced in the 1970s. This film covers the basic military courtesies exercised throughout the chain of command - including how to salute in a variety of situations, how to show respect to your superior officers and much more.

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Charlie Rose

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

Republican Presidential candidate Pat Buchanan discusses sex and violence in the media, consequences for companies that go too far, and his opinions on numerous issues affecting America. Then, Jimmy Breslin and E. Jean Carroll on male-female dynamics, the politics of interpersonal relationships, and sexuality. Finally, Anthony Marshall on zoos, animal conservation, and wildlife.

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